Exeter City places up for grabs in Grecians' starting eleven

EXETER City manager Gary Caldwell has told his players that places are up for grabs for the weekend League One clash with Charlton Athletic, with few pinning down a regular role in the starting XI.

The Grecians have won their last two games in Cup competitions – 3-2 at Bristol Rovers in the EFL Trophy and last weekend’s thrilling 5-3 FA Cup success against Barnet – but the levels of performance, or certain aspects of it, have not been to the manager’s liking.

All season, Caldwell has adopted a ‘could do better’ approach to pre and post-match interviews and it was a similar theme after the weekend win against Barnet with only striker Josh Magennis exempt from any criticism for his performance.

Caldwell did praise his finishers, the five substitutes all making significant contributions to the Grecians’ success, which puts them in pole position for a starting place against Charlton this weekend - if they maintain that level of performance in training this week. But whoever is handed a shirt to start against the Addicks must then perform to stay in the team with Caldwell having plenty of other options available if anyone falls below the standards he is demanding.

“I think that is the progress the club has made since I have been here,” Caldwell said of the strength in depth his has at his disposal. “Every transfer window, I think we have increased the quality and not just in the starting team, but the group. On Saturday, we left out pf the squad Vinnie Harper, Caleb Watts, Amani Richards and there are still some injuries to other players, so the group is strong and players are coming back.

“We said after the game that everyone is fighting for a place in the team. The finishers that came on the pitch showed how hungry they are to contribute. We will obviously assess certain players within that as they can’t produce 90 minutes yet, Demi Mitchell being the main one in that group, but what a huge impact they made on the game.

“That should put pressure on the players that are playing. That should create an intensity in training when there is a competitive nature to everything we do because, ultimately, it is going to be a challenge just to get in this team, never mind stay in it now and that is a good place to be for the club.”

Caldwell added: “Certain individuals can be really happy with how they performed and Josh would be the main one in terms of the starters. He looked ready for the game and that’s how he’s been all season, he’s been a man really with his experience. His attitude rubs off on others and he led the line fantastically well.

“It wasn’t until the finishers came on, all of them had an impact on the game, I thought – Jay Bird, Demi Mitchell, Kami Doyle, Ed Francis and then, even late in the game when you need a sub to come on, Fitzy (Jack Fitzwater) has his gear on, he’s ready and that’s what we need. We need everyone buying in and trying to contribute to three competitions this year.

“We are going to need all the squad and on Saturday, the five finishers and Josh Magennis were the difference and got us over the line.”

One guaranteed starter is Northern Irishman Magennis, now 34, who not only scored a hat-trick in the win against the Bees, but led by example with his industrious, all-round performance.

“I never doubt Josh Magennis - he’s a man,” Caldwell said. “He trains every day with that same intensity, I don’t know what he takes every day to get his energy.

“As soon as he comes in (to training) until he leaves – I think I left at about 6pm on Thursday and he was still doing some work with Les (Barrow) in the gym and that is the level of his professionalism.

“At his age, he looks like he is getting better, he is physically bang at it and I can’t speak highly enough of him. He deserved his hat-trick on Saturday, two penalties and it is never easy to take one penalty, but to take two in a game, I always think is difficult – and for your hat-trick.

“I don’t think there was ever any doubt and he is someone that has made a huge impact at the club and will continue to do so this season and hopefully beyond.”